(1) INTRODUCTION John HughsThese are songs of Philmont, ...they’re real, ...they’re authentic. They were written, sung, andrecorded by Philmont Staff Members, at Philmont and not by professional artists in a studio.We think you will enjoy listening to the songs, and even perhaps singing along using thePhilmont Song Book and chords to help you with your guitar playing.

This tape could not have been made without the help of a great many people, especiallythose who spent so many hours recording, under such primitive conditions, and of coursewe want to thank the Artists who gave us permission to use their songs.

For the final taping and reproducing we want to express our appreciation to Todd Conklin,Jim Foster, John Rudin, and John King. Where extra instruments are used, Bill Hittson, "Willy"of the 1981 Black Mt. Staff plays fiddle, and Jim Metcalf of the ‘81 Abreu Staff is on the banjo.

(2) MORENO VALLEY Tom MunchTom Munch was on the Beaubian Staff in 1980, but he wrote Moreno Valley in 1976 at Christmastime.Now here’s Tom with, Moreno Valley.

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7Life in the mountains is living in paradise,

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7Their sunshine and pine trees are heaven on earth.

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7The magic that drifts on the wings of Mariah

A Bm/E C#m/A DmFills up my soul and abounds it in mirth.

* CHORUS *Am C Am GOh Mariah, voice of the mountains,

Am CTake me on your whispered breath

Dm7 AmTo Moreno Valley.

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7The Sangre de Cristos explode in their grandeur,

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7They're rugged and towering, and yet graceful too.

A Bm/E C#m/A Bm7I love Cimarron Canyon, I love Eagle Nest,

A Bm/E C#m/A DmI climb to the rocks and look out o'er the view.

* CHORUS *3rd Verse instrumental and hum* CHORUS *

(3) BLACK MOUNTAIN CABIN SONG George MichaelsGeorge Michaels wrote the Black Mountain Cabin Song, while he was Directorof Black Mountain Camp, in 1980. With Molly Faulkner singing harmony, and George singing the lead,here’s George Michaels’, Black Mountain Cabin Song.

G DSittin' in our cabin

C GOn a cold and rainy night

G DListenin' to the wind blow by

C DTrees roll out of sight.

G DListen to the crackle

C GOf the fire in the stove

G DAnd watch the steam arisin'

C GFrom the coffeepot it goes.

G DSittin' and a thinking'

C GOf the things that we have done.

G DWorkin' and a playing'

C GSingin' when it’s done.

Listen to the wind blow byRustlin' through the treesAnd listen to the clouds blow byHiddin' things from me.

I wish I had a ladySittin' by my sideSittin' and a dreamin'‘Til the early mornin' light.

I was Sittin' in Black MountainOn a cold and rainy nightListenin' to the wind blow byTrees roll out of sight.

Ya, listen to that old wind blow byTrees roll out of sight.

(4) BOY OF THE MOUNTAINS Dave GoldfeinDave Goldfein wrote Boy of the Mountains in 1980, while on the Ranger Staff. Dave sings thelead in his song, and Molly Faulkner provides the harmony. Here’s Dave & Molly now, with,Boy of the Mountain.

(We had some problems with this recording, but we think you will still enjoyBoy of the Mountains, even if we did loose the first line.) (…from the original cassette tape)

(Well he's sitting on a mountain in New Mexico.) (This is the missing line)Wonderin' about his life and where he might go.There's a bird floating past him so graceful and free.He says boy of the mountains won't you listen to me.

* CHORUS *If you’re searchin’ for tomorrow, then you'll never find today.For life is for the living, you gotta live out each day.If you worry about tomorrow and what the future may hold,Then you'll just end up worrying ‘til you grow very old.

Well, the boy said that's easy for you to say.You just float through the mountains lookin’ for prey.No you don't have to worry ‘cause you’re so darn free.But me, I got to find a job and raise a family.

Well, the bird floated on over and perched on a branch,He looked at that boy and he started to laugh.He said, kid you’ve got your needs and I’ve got mine, but one thingWe've in common is the passage of time.

* CHORUS *

Well, the bird started movin' his wings toward the sky.Then the boy looked up to him with a tear in his eye.He said bird, what you're saying, Ah, it makes so much sense,For I'm crossing pastures ‘for I even reach the fence.

And the bird floated eastward across the Great Plains.And the boy started walkin' for it began to rain.And he’s thinking about the bird and as he looked o'er the land.He heard boy of the mountains, now you're a man.

* CHORUS *

(5) FRENCH HENRY Greg (Doc) Walker“Doc” Walker was Camp Director at French Henry in 1975, when he wrote this song, about that camp.JD Robinson & Dave Goldfein help with the harmony, and Doc sings his own, French Henry.

On the summer of ninety threeme and my poor boys workin' French Henrydiggin' and a-blastin' and a-drillin' all the while.Gold has caught my spirit and commands my whole life style,

* CHORUS *But the waters of the South Ponil are flowin' by.The wind has caught the aspens and the sunlight fills the sky.I can see the moonlight shining.I can hear those miners mining.Oh a miner's life is full of charms,It's full of hardships too.Days of workin' underground a-way from skies of blue.

I'm just a miner, and life's a simple thingPoetry for me is made of mountains in the spring.And I hear a blackbird cacklin’ in a rowdy kind of way.Telling how the mountains live their life from day to day.

* CHORUS *

I hang my head with weariness, I hear the symphony.The wind will whisper lyrics to the water's melody.Oh, the magic of this valley sings a simple song to me.It lulls my soul and soothes away a miner's misery.

* CHORUS *

Oh a miner's life is full of charms,It's full of hardships too.Days of workin' underground a-way from skies of blue.

(6) ME & MY GUITAR Ricky W. MaxeyRicky Maxy wrote Me and My Guitar in 1981, while he was a Member of the News and Information Staff.Here now Ricky sings his own song, Me and My Guitar.

Sittin’ here all alone, with no one else around,I pick up my old guitar and I sit right down.Think about the friends I've had, and folks I've never knew,Places where I've been, and those I’m going to.

But I'm sittin’ here all alone, with no one else around,Just me and this old guitar and the lonesome sounds.And I fall into a dream ‘bout a place far, far away,High above a mountaintop, slowly looking down.

But I'm sittin’ here all alone, with no one else around,Just me and this old guitar and lonesome dreams.

In a high mountain grassland, I'm a-watchin’ the cattle graze,Riddin’ across Burn meadow, working for my day's wage.The sweat it rolls from under my hat and across my dusty brow.Got to get along hoss, can't lope like that, got to chase another stray cow.

* CHORUS *

Kicked back at the trapper's lodge, I'm a-sitting on the front porch.Smell the ole Majestic cooking what the cookie don't scorch.I know that fence needs fixin' and that some of the chores ain't done.But today is not right for doing them; see there will be another one.

* CHORUS *

Tomorrow I'm headed for Cimarron, to the local meeting place,Gonna play some pool and see some friends and probably eat a steak.And there will be piano singing, and a two-step dance, and a barroom fight.It’s a hard long work in a cowboy's life but you know it’s really alright.

* CHORUS *

Sittin’ around a campfire watching the flames leap from log to log,Thinkin’ the whole day through some cowboy songs.I wish for you all around the best of peace and joy,You got to keep riding high for all your life like the New Mexican boy.

* CHORUS *

Keep a-ridin’ high.

(10) NEW MEXICO I’VE MISSED YOU Ken KonopkaNew Mexico I’ve Missed You was written by Ken Konopka at Pueblano, while he was workingthere as a Conservationist. Here with Molly Faulkner singing harmony, Ken sings his own,New Mexico I’ve Missed You

D C GThe spirit of the mountains is in everybody; it's the spirit of friendliness.

D C GNot everywhere you can say hello and receive a warm reply;

D C GBut in New Mexico it happens every day. It's the New Mexico way of life,

C G C G DIt's the New Mexican way of life, it's the New Mexican-a-hen way of life.

D C GSummer's endin', people leaving, sadness through and through.

D C GSay good-bye to the people, the mountains, the sky’s azure blue.

D C GNo one really wants to leave, but obligations do persist.

D C GWe'll leave with the spirit in our hearts, New Mexico you will be missed;

C G C G DNew Mexico you will be missed, New Mexico-a-ho will be missed,

C G DNew Mexico-a-ho will be missed.

(11) RUNNIN’ WITH THE WIND Greg (Doc) Walker. Note: 10/27/79 is the actual name “Doc” Walker gave his song.

“Doc” Walker was attending Medical School in Boston in October of ‘79, when he wroteRunnin’ With the Wind. It’s about a reunion with Staff Members Jason Mascitti and Ken Block.Doc sings his own song now, here’s Runnin’ With the Wind.

Sittin' in old Boston town lookin' at the city lightsRememberin’ those days gone by; those Rocky Mountain nights.And I think of two young Philly boys, two aspens in the wind.They walk along those trails again those Colfax county friends.

* CHORUS *You gotta run with the wind, Follow tumblin’ streams.Soar above the hills of green and live your mountain dreams.

They tell about the city life sittin’ around a campfires glow.One sings forgotten miners’ songs, the others listens low.And a quiet magic fills the air as the embers fade away.For now there's three young cowboys sharin' memories of the day.

* CHORUS *

Friends are joined from all about, from all across this land.A common memory binds us all, a place that's truly grand.And this moment always lives with us, as a smile begins to form.On each young weary traveler's face, and the hearts begin to warm.

* CHORUS *

So sing a song for special friends, and share a tear for old.For here stand those two aspen trees, now their leaves have turned to gold.As for me, I'm just on Ozark boy with a memory in my mind,Of this summers night we all once shared in a place that's lost in time.

* CHORUS ** CHORUS *

(12) TENNESSEE RIVER Jack ClarkTennessee River was written by Jack Clark, a Member of Clarks Fork Staff in 1981.Here now Jack sings his own, Tennessee River.

(13) WINTER OF '29 Steve Lewis"Winter of '29" was written in 1973 by Steve Lewis, who was then a Staff Member at Cipher’s Mine.It’s become a traditional song at Clear Creek. Doc Walker and JD Robinson sing, Winter of ‘29

G'Twas the winter of '29

Me and Jake was a-riding the line,

C GI'll tell you boys it was cold now.

Came across a bit of frost,

Nearly lost my beaver and hoss

F C GA fine time dreamin' of the Texas sun.

GWell, I wish I coulda’ got a whole pocketful of Texas sun.

GLooked around for a restin' spot,

Fingers so cold you couldn't tie a knot.

C GWe settled down for a long cold restless snooze, boys.

Came the time that the white moon rose,

Heard a sound, it nearly froze my toes

F C GIt was a big ole brown bear, a grizzly bear, Ole Griz!

DSo I jumped out there in the knee-deep snow,

C GAnd I swung my rifle 'round.

D Caught him in the chin just below the nose,

C DHe went a-bellowin' like a hound, ya.

GJake woke up from the noise outside,

Said he'd never had a better sleep in his life,

C GWe put on a pot of that coffee boiled black as night, boys.

Packed up the mules like we always do,

And headed on down to the rendezvous,

F C GA fine time dreamin' of the Texas sun.

F C GWell, I wish I coulda’ got a whole pocketful of Texas sun.

And it was fine time dreamin' of the Texas sun.It seem like friends are always talkin’ ‘bout the Texas sun.A fine time dreamin' of the Texas sun.Me, ya’ know I’m always dreamin’ of the Clear Creek sun.

Stayed at lonely places, carried beauty seldom seenBut no one to see it with, this loneliness turns meanWhere are two eyes to see it with, love and soul my friendWhen will love come ridin' that Cimarron wind

* CHORUS *

My empty hearts a-waitin', my patience is wearin' thinWhen will love come ridin' that Cimarron windI curse the days I cried to the Cimarron wind

(16) BROKEN WING Peter Crook

The birds keep flyin’ to that high wire,When at the nest there makes new life.Some stay longer when they shouldn't linger,And play around with sparks that fly.

* CHORUS *With a broken wing she comes and holds me,She will not let me fall from the sky.She says, "Together we will weather,Whatever the storm may bring".

I would say I'm sorry but I know it's easy,To make excuses to buy some time.The simple truth is that I've hurt you,'Cause with another I tried to fly.

* CHORUS *

She says, "Together we will weather,Whatever the storm may bring".

(17) HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Chris Standard

* CHORUS *They say home is where the heart isHome is just where you want to beMy home is a place where the aspen trees singMy home is in Phil Country

Just sitting here on rock, watchin' as the day goes byAnd thinkin' to my self how happy I am hereWhere the people are so warm and kindSo many I call friends of mineAnd they all seem to be a part of me

* CHORUS *

There're mountains, lakes and flowin' streamsAnd the birds I always hear them singAnd the wind as it whistles on through the treesWhere the valleys are so far belowAnd the mountaintops are touched with snowAnd the skies above are so blue to me

* CHORUS *

There's no place I'd rather beThan right here in God's CountryFor it will always be home to me

* CHORUS *.Or as the Phil Pholks would write: “HOmE”.Heaven On Earth

(18) TIMES Paul Tweed

I remember times when we would rideFrom sunup to sundown under the clear blue skyWorkin' on the land side by sideLookin' out for each other like brother after brother

* CHORUS *Have you seen the time flowin' by like a riverHave you seen the many moons go byHave you seen the time flying on like an eagleGoin' higher and higher in the sky

I remember watchin' folks come visit our old cabinStopping by the porch just to say helloSeeing big ol' bears wander byWonder if they just stopped by to tell the boys hello

* CHORUS *

I got all these memories insideFrom Horse Canyon to Bonita' fillin' me with prideSome day we'll all come back again and rideFrom sunup to sundown under the clear blue sky

I remember times when we would rideFrom sunup to sundown under the clear blue skyI remember times when we would rideFrom sunup to sundown under the clear blue sky

Liner NotesFrom the inside of the CD cover: Written by Laura Foster Voss

Music has always been a part of Philmont. From the Philmont Hymn to the bawdy ballads, songs sung around campfires and at Coffee houses, in the rows of Ranger Tent City and on the trail. Music has become an integral part of the Philmont experience.

The Philmont staff of 1981 knew the importance of this music and set out to capture it on tape. Jim Foster and Todd Conklin led the effort. Setting up two microphones in the living room of what most know as Wayne Bakers house. Todd Conklin engineered the project and recorded music on a reel-to-reel recorder. Songwriters and musicians dropped by on their days off to perform and record original songs written by Philmont staff members. The recordings were then sent off to Dallas to be transferred to cassette in a professional studio. For years, Philsongs was made available through the Philmont Trading Post by copying cassettes on a high-speed dubbing machine.

The project that was started in the summer of 1981 was picked up by a new generation of Philmont staffers in the summer of 1999. Knowing that her father never threw anything away. Laura Foster Voss asked Jim for the original reel-to-reels in order to have them transferred to compact disk. Chris "Jag" McLaughlin had offered to “re-master” tapes and put them on CD.

The original intention was for him to make several copies for the Fosters and for himself. Through several conversations, however, it was decided that maybe there was a wider audience that would be interested in owning a copy of Philsongs on CD.

Dawn Chandler and Todd Conklin convinced the Philmont Staff Association to fund the project initially and then sell the CDs as a fundraiser for the PSA. James "Sam" Vivian took the project and ran with it, organizing harrowing months of tracking down the Songwriters from the 1981 staff roster and keeping the project on track. Efforts included finding new tracks to include in order to fill the CD. Tying the new Philsongs effort to the one of 1981, Jeff Segler produced original cover art for both projects.

What you now hold in your hands is a culmination of the creative work that was done in the summer of 1981 and the logistical work that has been done in the past year and a half. The songwriters have all agreed to have their work reproduced and redistributed. As with the original project, all the proceeds from this project will go to benefit Philmont. This project could not be done without the hard work of Chris McLaughlin, Sam Vivian, Dawn Chandler, Todd Conklin, Jeff Segler, Laura Foster Voss, Jim Foster, and especially the musicians and songwriters that contributed their arts.

George gave me some little known details about when and where he wrote the Black Mountain Cabin Song.. When it was originally written, it was NOT AT nor ABOUT Black Mountain!He told me, that he was working on Staff at French Henry when he wrote the song, and it was about the French Henry cabin. That is when he first sang it, but it was late in the season.The next year he was on Staff at Black Mountain - so he just changed the title.Many more people heard it sung originally by him at Philmont as 'Black' then heard it sung as 'French'.

Please DO NOT PRINT this page.- Instead -Go to the Lyrics Download Files page. There you will find all the lyrics are onMS Word Documents, (.doc)already nicely formated for printing